Netball America

Press Release

The FISU World University Netball Championship Awarded to Miami, Florida

Miami, FL, March 20, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Netball America Inc., along with the USA International University Sport Federation, are proud to partner with St. Thomas University and the Miami-Dade Sports Commission to host the 2nd FISU World University Netball Championship July 2016 at St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla. Miami will play host to 12 countries participating as part of this international event.

“We look forward to having the 2nd edition of the FISU World University Netball Championship take place in the USA,” said Paulo Ferreira, FISU Director of the World University Championships. "The United States is a sport-oriented country and Miami will warmly welcome the world’s netball student-athletes."

"The US International University Sports Federation (USIUSF) is thrilled to be hosting the 2016 FISU World University Championship in 2016 at St. Thomas University. Netball is a rapidly emerging sport in the United States and we are excited to showcase an international event that will further its national prestige," said Stan Brassie, USIUSF Secretary General.

Miami-Dade County has been host to many major sporting events including 10 Super Bowls, the NCAA BCS National Championship, WWE WrestleMania, the World Golf Championships and many more. Miami-Dade County, located along Biscayne Bay in southeastern Florida, is the state's largest county with approximately 2.5 million residents.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to host the FISU World University Netball Championship,” said Lynda Bell, Miami-Dade Sports Commission Chairwoman and County Commissioner. “We look forward to showcasing why Miami-Dade County is considered the sports capital of the world.”

Netball, with roots stemming from women’s basketball, has been played throughout the world for over 110 years. Now an International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized sport, Netball is played in over 80 countries and enjoyed by more than 20 million people worldwide. Netball is a fast, non-contact game based on the principles of basketball except there is no backboard, no dribbling or running with the ball and players have just three seconds to pass the ball.

“As host alongside the US International University Sports Federation, we are excited about the opportunities and growth this globally prestigious event presents for Netball in the Americas and for the entire international Netball community,” said Sonya Ottaway, President of Netball America.

"We at St. Thomas University feel that participation in athletics facilitates the learning of values, which improves the mental, social, physical, emotional, moral and spiritual development of student-athletes," said Terrence O'Connor, Vice President for Administration & CFO, St Thomas University.

About the FISU World University Championships: The World University Championships are organized by the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) and are played every two years. The World University Championships (WUCs) were created by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) to complete the program of the Universiade. FISU supports the competitions, which represent the continuity of the university sports and allows the federation to be better known. The inaugural World University Netball Championship was held at the Cape of Good Hope Sports Center in Cape Town, South Africa, July 2-7, 2012. In 2014, FISU will stage 29 WUCs, attracting approx. 6,000 participants from 105 countries and will also host 33 WUC's in 2016 including 2 in the USA (Netball and Baseball).

About Netball America: Netball America is a registered 501c(3) Not-For-Profit organization and is the premier national Netball organization whose mission is to foster the continued development and growth of Netball in the United States.

About St. Thomas University: St. Thomas University – a Catholic university affiliated with the Archdiocese of Miami with a rich cultural and international diversity - was founded in 1961 and is a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). St. Thomas is committed to the academic and professional success of its students who become ethical leaders in our global community. St. Thomas is building upon its position as the leading Catholic university in the Southeast through its academic programs in ministry, science, business and justice.

About The Miami-Dade Sports Commission: The Miami-Dade Sports Commission was created by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners as a public-private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2003, and opened for business in April of 2004. Since beginning full operation in 2004, the Miami-Dade Sports Commission has secured over 350,000 room nights, over $450 million in economic impact, and more than 50 events, including Wrestlemania XXVIII, the FHSAA Football Finals, Florida’s Sunshine State Games, the US Fencing Summer Nationals, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Regional, various USA Judo world events, USA Volleyball Girls Junior Olympic Championships and the 2012 PASO Seminar.

Our mission is to attract, promote, and retain sporting events for Miami-Dade County. As the premier destination for sporting events and leisure and entertainment in South Florida, our goal is to foster positive growth and economic development for the local community through increased visitor stays and a more frequent visitor return rate.